Richard R. Amerine’s Silver Star citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to

SECOND LIEUTENANT RICHARD R. AMERINE,
U.S. MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while attached to Marine Aircraft Group TWENTY-THREE in combat with enemy Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on August 31, 1942. While on combat patrol over enemy territory, Second Lieutenant Amerine lost consciousness when his oxygen supply failed, but recovered in time to parachute to safety. After alighting on the water and discarding most of his clothing to facilitate swimming, he made shore and started to trek back through the jungle toward his base. Coming upon a Japanese soldier, Second Lieutenant Amerine killed him with a rock in order to secure his weapons. Although weak from hunger and hunted by the enemy, he succeeded in killing three snipers while working his tortuous way for six days through the underbrush. By his grim determination and indomitable fighting spirit he overcame almost insurmountable difficulties and finally reached his airfield.”

For the President,
Frank Knox
Secretary of the Navy.